Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here...
highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as
satisfying as a good morning dump.
The Boston Red Sox, now winners of five of their first seven games, are cruising on the shoulders of their top two pitchers: Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz.
Is it too early for the Red Sox to give manager John Farrell a raise?
Whatever the Sox are paying Farrell, they should double it considering
the performances he’s been able to coax out of once-wayward starters Jon
Lester and Clay Buchholz this season.
Everyone knew that the redemptive duo of Lester and
Buchholz would be the compass for the Red Sox season. Seven games into
the season the Sox and their reinvigorated aces are pointing due north.
Buchholz matched Lester’s seven shutout innings on Sunday against
Toronto with seven shutout innings of his own, as the resurgent Sox sent
the Fenway Faithful home happy with a 3-1 victory over the Baltimore
Orioles in the home opener Monday.
Lester and Buchholz have combined to go 4-0, while allowing just three
runs in 26 innings. They’ve struck out 25. Their efforts are beyond the
best-case scenario for the Sox, who have put the malodorous and odious
2012 season in the rearview mirror with a 5-2 start.
They’re stud pitchers. They’ve always been really good,” said Sox
catcher David Ross. “I was excited when I signed here just to be able to
catch those guys. They’re front-end starters in the rotation in
anybody’s team in the major leagues. It’s nothing that is a shocker to
me. They know they’re good. We know they’re good, and I enjoy catching
them.”
Globe: Red Sox aces off to a strong start this season
Is the Red Sox dream pitching rotation finally developing in front of our eyes? Is John Farrell the savior? So far in this young season, it looks as if the Red Sox have not one, but TWO aces.
I know it's only been seven games, but Buchholz and Lester look like they've progressed and returned to form. Their pitching lines thus far speak for themselves:
Lester : (2-0) 12.0 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 13 K's, 1.50 ERA
Buchholz : (2-0) 14.0 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 12 K's, 0.64 ERA
When Farrell was on the opposing bench managing the Blue Jays, he must have been so giddy to get to Boston to fix these two. Little tweak here, little tweak there and all of a sudden, these two seem to be completely turned around.
From a fan's standpoint, there's nothing more exciting than checking out the pitching matchup for a game and realizing the ace is taking the mound. The Red Sox haven't had that in quite some time.
Now, do they potentially have two? Ask me again in September, but so far so good.
Rest of the links- Globe: No matter what, Red Sox fans always come back | Globe: In pregame ceremony, Red Sox and Jimmy Fund celebrate 60 years together | Globe: The Iglesias dilemmea approaches | Herald: Daniel Nava pulls another surprise with big home run | Herald: John Farrell’s golden touch may be his best hunch | CSNNE.com: Nava steps up in surprising Opening Day start | CSNNE.com: MRI shows no biceps tear for Lackey

You'll
also
receive Yardbarker's daily Top 10, featuring the best sports stories from around the web.
Customize your newsletter to get articles on your favorite sports and teams. And the best part? It's free!